The ultimate eye-opening journey through time and space, A Short History of Nearly Everything is the biggest-selling popular science book of the 21st century and has sold over 2 million copies.'Possibly the best scientific primer ever published.' Economist'Truly impressive...It's hard to imagine a better rough guide to science.' Guardian'A travelogue of science, with a witty, engaging, and well-informed guide' The TimesBill Bryson describes himself as a reluctant traveller, but even when he stays safely at home he can't contain his curiosity about the world around him. A Short History of Nearly Everything is his quest to understand everything that has happened from the Big Bang to the rise of civilization - how we got from there, being nothing at all, to here, being us.Bill Bryson's challenge is to take subjects that normally bore the pants off most of us, like geology, chemistry and particle physics, and see if there isn't some way to render them comprehensible to people who have never thought they could be interested in science. As a result, A Short History of Nearly Everything reveals the world in a way most of us have never seen it before. Read more

Ci sono frontiere della conoscenza dove brucia il nostro desiderio di sapere: sono nelle profondità più minute del tessuto dello spazio, nelle origini del cosmo, nella natura del tempo, nella destinazione dei buchi neri. Qui, a contatto con l’oceano di quanto non sappiamo, bellezza e mistero ci lasciano senza fiato. Queste ‘lezioni’ delineano una rapida panoramica della rivoluzione avvenuta nella fisica del XX secolo e della ricerca in corso, discorrendo, con ammirevole trasparenza, della teoria della relatività generale di Einstein, della meccanica quantistica, dell’architettura del cosmo, delle particelle elementari, della gravità quantistica, della probabilità e del calore dei buchi neri, della natura del tempo e di altro ancora. Read more

How is faster-than-light related to back-in-time?Albert Einstein knew already in the early 1900s, when he first published his famous paper about the constancy of the speed of light, that not only did this constancy imply that mass contains energy (E = m c squared), but that faster-than-light motion could lead to paradoxes -- some that seemed to involve backwards time travel.What are these paradoxes? Why is light and its speed relevant? This book will lead you through an obstacle course of conundrums and oddities, building up your understanding of how light's speed creates simple but mind-expanding paradoxes -- one conceptual riddle at a time.This is not your average popular science book. This is also not a textbook. This book takes one theme -- the universally constant speed of light -- and shows how it may appear compromised on scales from the quantum mechanics of the very small to the cosmology of the very large, and the resulting surprising implications can result. Read more

"The whole thing was basically an experiment," Richard Feynman said late in his career, looking back on the origins of his lectures. The experiment turned out to be hugely successful, spawning publications that have remained definitive and introductory to physics for decades. Ranging from the basic principles of Newtonian physics through such formidable theories as general relativity and quantum mechanics, Feynman's lectures stand as a monument of clear exposition and deep insight.Timeless and collectible, the lectures are essential reading, not just for students of physics but for anyone seeking an introduction to the field from the inimitable Feynman. Read more

A plain-English guide to advanced physics Does just thinking about the laws of motion make your head spin? Does studying electricity short your circuits? Physics II For Dummies walks you through the essentials and gives you easy-to-understand and digestible guidance on this often intimidating course.Thanks to this book, you don?t have to be Einstein to understand physics. As you learn about mechanical waves and sound, forces and fields, electric potential and electric energy, and much more, you?ll appreciate the For Dummies law: The easier we make it, the faster you?ll understand it!An extension of the successful Physics I For DummiesCovers topics in a straightforward and effective mannerExplains concepts and terms in a fast and easy-to-understand wayWhether you?re currently enrolled in an undergraduate-level Physics II course or just want a refresher on the fundamentals of advanced physics, this no-nonsense guide makes this fascinating topic accessible to everyone. Read more

New York Times Bestseller: This life story of the quirky physicist is “a thorough and masterful portrait of one of the great minds of the century” (The New York Review of Books). Raised in Depression-era Rockaway Beach, physicist Richard Feynman was irreverent, eccentric, and childishly enthusiastic—a new kind of scientist in a field that was in its infancy. His quick mastery of quantum mechanics earned him a place at Los Alamos working on the Manhattan Project under J. Robert Oppenheimer, where the giddy young man held his own among the nation’s greatest minds. There, Feynman turned theory into practice, culminating in the Trinity test, on July 16, 1945, when the Atomic Age was born. He was only twenty-seven. And he was just getting started. In this sweeping biography, James Gleick captures the forceful personality of a great man, integrating Feynman’s work and life in a way that is accessible to laymen and fascinating for the scientists who follow in his footsteps. Read more

As you read this, billions of neutrinos from the sun are passing through your body, antimatter is sprouting from your dinner and the core of your being is a chaotic mess of particles known only as quarks and gluons.If the recent discovery of the Higgs boson piqued your interest, then Why The Universe Exists will take you deeper into the world of particle physics, with leading physicists and New Scientist exploring how the universe functions at the smallest scales. Find out about hunt for dark matter and why there is something rather than nothing. Discover how accelerators such as the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland are rewinding time to the first moments after the big bang, and how ghostly neutrino particles may hold the answers to the greatest mysteries of the universe. ABOUT THE SERIESNew Scientist Instant Expert books are definitive and accessible entry points to the most important subjects in science; subjects that challenge, attract debate, invite controversy and engage the most enquiring minds. Designed for curious readers who want to know how things work and why, the Instant Expert series explores the topics that really matter and their impact on individuals, society, and the planet, translating the scientific complexities around us into language that's open to everyone, and putting new ideas and discoveries into perspective and context. Read more

The international bestseller: an introduction to the theory of relativity by the eminent physicists Brian Cox and Jeff Forshaw What does E=mc2 actually mean? Dr. Brian Cox and Professor Jeff Forshaw go on a journey to the frontier of twenty-first century science to unpack Einstein's famous equation. Explaining and simplifying notions of energy, mass, and light-while exploding commonly held misconceptions-they demonstrate how the structure of nature itself is contained within this equation. Along the way, we visit the site of one of the largest scientific experiments ever conducted: the now-famous Large Hadron Collider, a gigantic particle accelerator capable of re-creating conditions that existed fractions of a second after the Big Bang. A collaboration between one of the youngest professors in the United Kingdom and a distinguished popular physicist, Why Does E=mc2? is one of the most exciting and accessible explanations of the theory of relativity. Read more

Winner of the Royal Society Winton Prize for Science Books A Best Science Book of the Year for the Guardian, Financial Times, and New Scientist It was the universe’s most elusive particle, the linchpin for everything scientists dreamed up to explain how physics works. It had to be found. But projects as big as CERN’s Large Hadron Collider don’t happen without incredible risks – or occasional skulduggery. In the definitive account of the greatest science story of our time, acclaimed physicist Sean Carroll reveals the insights, rivalry, and wonder that fuelled the Higgs discovery, and takes us on a riveting and irresistible ride to the very edge of physics today. Read more

What really happens at the most fundamental levels of nature? Introducing Particle Physics explores the very frontiers of our knowledge, even showing how particle physicists are now using theory and experiment to probe our very concept of what is real. From the earliest history of the atomic theory through to supersymmetry, micro-black holes, dark matter, the Higgs boson, and the possibly mythical graviton, practising physicist and CERN contributor Tom Whyntie gives us a mind-expanding tour of cutting-edge science. Featuring brilliant illustrations from Oliver Pugh, Introducing Particle Physics is a unique tour through the most astonishing and challenging science being undertaken today. Read more

★Have you ever wondered where we come from—like where we really come from and what we are made of?★ Have you ever wondered if, let’s say, teleportation is possible, or if we will ever learn more about the Universe than we already do?Have you ever asked yourself what was Albert Einstein’s true contribution to the science of the 20th century and whether or not there were other scientists just as smart as him, but less frequently mentioned in frequent discussions?Quantum mechanics and the history of quantum theory might have all these answers for you and much, much more than you can even imagine.Download Quantum Physics for Beginners Who Flunked Math and Science today and learn more about:Waves and particles and why they are much more important than we thinkNeutrinos and why, although incredibly small, they are essential for our knowledge-seeking endeavorsQuantum entanglement and how it might make teleportation possibleWhy Albert Einstein opposed quantum theory as it is generally accepted todayWhat quantum physicists are attempting to do these daysStep into a fascinating world that might not have ALL the answers just yet, but might as well be on its way to finding them! Read more

A poetic odyssey through the origins of the universe from one of Britain’s leading physicists.There raged a thumping cosmic ballyhoo, A manic dance – a rumpus to arouse The universe: of Higgs and W, Electrons, gluons, muons, Zs and taus… For centuries poetry and science have been improbable, yet constant, bedfellows. Chaucer was an amateur astronomer; Milton broke bread with Galileo; and, before turning to the arts, Keats was a doctor. Meanwhile, scientific luminaries like Ada Lovelace and James Clerk Maxwell moonlighted as poets, composing verse between experiments and equations. Following in this tradition, theoretical physicist Joseph Conlon spins a dazzling intergalactic epic. Drawing on his scientific expertise, Conlon reveals the origins of our universe through two long-form poems – ‘Elements’ and ‘Galaxies’. Journeying from the Big Bang to the edges of our ever-expanding cosmos, Origins offers a delightful and revelatory adventure through contemporary physics. Read more

Fundamental does for physics what Tim's first book, Elemental, does for chemistry: it demystifies the topic in his trademark humorous, engaging style, including the most recent developments in the field.At the start of the twentieth century, science appeared complete and the laws of nature were almost all discovered, but then we woke a sleeping giant - we discovered quantum mechanics. In the quantum realm, objects can be in two places at once. It's a place where time travel is not only possible, but necessary. It's a place where cause and effect can happen in reverse and observing something changes its state. From parallel universes to antimatter, quantum mechanics has revealed that when you get right down to it, the laws of nature are insane. The scientist J. B. S. Haldane once said, 'Reality is not only stranger than we imagine . . . it's stranger than we can imagine.' Never is this more true than with quantum mechanics; our best, most recent attempt to make sense of the fundamental laws of nature.Fundamental is a comprehensive beginner's guide to quantum mechanics, explaining not only the weirdness of the subject but the experiments that proved it to be true. Using a humorous and light-hearted approach, Fundamental tells the story of how the most brilliant minds in science grappled with seemingly impossible ideas and gave us everything from microchips to particle accelerators. Fundamental gives clear explanations of all the quantum phenomena known to modern science, without requiring an understanding of complex mathematics; tells the eccentric stories of the scientists who made these shattering discoveries and what they used them for; explains how quantum field theory (a topic not covered in detail by any other popular-science book) gave rise to particle physics and why the Higgs boson isn't the end of the story. Read more

An introduction to the principles of particle physics. Solve the 100-year-old mystery which the great physicist, Paul Dirac, believed linked atoms to the secret of the entire universe. Read more

Welcome to The Elements of The Periodic Table: The Complete Handbook! Have you ever looked at the periodic table and wondered how each element plays a role in our lives or wanted to know the element with the highest melting point? Have you been looking for a visual guide or reference guide to the elements for yourself or your kids?Then this all rounder world handbook is the perfect choice for you:AN EASY-TO-READ AND USEFUL FACTBOOK - Unlike most factbooks, we haven't bombarded this book with loads of facts and data that make finding simple facts like an element's melting point difficult. We have kept the order of this book logical and have a uniform layout for data to make it easy and quick for the reader to pull information from any element.SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES - This book was designed with younger readers in mind, so contains no unnecessary jargon, just lots of pictures and simply presented information that children can learn from and adults can use as reference and to supplement your child's understanding of science.BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED COLOR PERIODIC TABLE BOOK - This handbook was designed to be a convenient size to carry in a school bag and fit in tight spaces on a bookshelf. We have used clear images, legible text and clear periodic table depictions - coupled with Amazon's premium printing services meaning your handbook will be nothing short of a visually aesthetic book.UP TO DATE TRANSPARENT INFORMATION - All data inside this book is a reflection of the latest data found from surveys and registries unless specifically stated inside the book. Information has come from both independent findings and government registries and findings (mostly for population).ONE OF OUR BEST SELLING BOOKS. The Elements of the Periodic Table makes a great gift as well as a great addition to any library. Let us know your thoughts by leaving feedback or contacting us directly by clicking on the author details! Read more

What is quantum mechanics? Learn from the experts in the ALL-NEW LADYBIRD EXPERT SERIESA clear, simple and entertaining introduction to the weird, mind-bending world of the very, very small.Written by physicist and broadcaster Professor Jim Al-Khalili, Quantum Mechanics explores all the key players, breakthroughs, controversies and unanswered questions of the quantum world.You'll discover:- How the sun shines- Why light is both a wave and a particle- The certainty of the Uncertainty Principle- Schrodinger's Cat- Einstein's spooky action- How to build a quantum computer- Why quantum mechanics drives even its experts completely crazy'Jim Al-Khalili has done an admirable job of condensing the ideas of quantum physics from Max Planck to the possibilities of quantum computers into brisk, straightforward English' THE TIMESLearn about other topics in the Ladybird Experts series including The Big Bang, Gravity, Climate Change and Evolution.Written by the leading lights and most outstanding communicators in their fields, the Ladybird Expert books provide clear, accessible and authoritative introductions to subjects drawn from science, history and culture. For an adult readership, the Ladybird Expert series is produced in the same iconic small format pioneered by the original Ladybirds. Each beautifully illustrated book features the first new illustrations produced in the original Ladybird style for nearly forty years. Read more

"The whole thing was basically an experiment," Richard Feynman said late in his career, looking back on the origins of his lectures. The experiment turned out to be hugely successful, spawning publications that have remained definitive and introductory to physics for decades. Ranging from the basic principles of Newtonian physics through such formidable theories as general relativity and quantum mechanics, Feynman's lectures stand as a monument of clear exposition and deep insight.Timeless and collectible, the lectures are essential reading, not just for students of physics but for anyone seeking an introduction to the field from the inimitable Feynman. Read more

What is time? The Janus Point offers a ground-breaking solution to one of the greatest mysteries in physics.For over a century, the greatest minds have sought to understand why time seems to flow in one direction, ever forward. In The Janus Point, Julian Barbour offers a radically new answer: it doesn't.At the heart of this book, Barbour provides a new vision of the Big Bang - the Janus Point - from which time flows in two directions, its currents driven by the expansion of the universe and the growth of order in the galaxies, planets and life itself. What emerges is not just a revolutionary new theory of time, but a hopeful argument about the destiny of our universe.'Both a work of literature and a masterpiece of scientific thought' Lee Smolin, author of The Trouble with Physics'Profound...original...accessible to anyone who has pondered the mysteries of space and time' Martin Rees, Astronomer Royal 'Takes on fundamental questions, offering a new perspective on how the Universe started and where it may be headed' Science Magazine Read more

In this groundbreaking work, Joseph George challenges our fundamental understanding of atomic structure and proposes a radical new atomic theory. Tracing the historical development of atomic models, from J.J. Thomson's discovery of the electron to Rutherford's planetary model and Bohr's contributions, the author critically examines the currently accepted wave mechanical model premised on continuous electron motion around the nucleus.Through rigorous research and insightful observations, the book presents compelling evidence that atomic electrons exhibit only vibratory motion, emitting photons during excitation and vibration. This challenges the notion of continuous electron motion, which the author argues is merely a mental construct proposed by Rutherford and Bohr, lacking empirical support.The book also unveils the existence of another state of matter within atoms, beyond electrons and the nucleus, playing crucial roles in atomic structure and providing the atom with its volume. This groundbreaking discovery has far-reaching implications for our comprehension of the fundamental building blocks of matter.Offering a more profound understanding of various atomic phenomena, the new atomic theory sheds light on light emission and absorption, the Zeeman effect, the Stark effect, fine structure, hyperfine structure, pair production, and the matter-energy relation, among others.Furthermore, the author proposes a compelling alternative explanation for the bending of starlight and gravitational lensing, suggesting that mass defects in the universe transform into an extremely thin form of matter that permeates the cosmos.With its bold ideas and potential to reshape our understanding of the atomic realm, this book promises to be a seminal work that will ignite discussions and pave the way for future explorations in the field of atomic physics. Read more

IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE BIT...The universe is made of bits of information and it has been known for more than a century that every piece of the the universe - every electron, atom and molecule - registers these bits and that information. It is only in the last years, however, with the discovery and development of quantum computers, that scientists have gained a fundamental understanding of just how that information is registered and processed.Building on recent breakthroughs in quantum computation, Seth Lloyd shows how the universe itself is a giant computer. Every atom and elementary particle stores these bits, and every collision between those atoms and particles flips the bits into a new arrangement and effortlessly spins out beautiful and complex systems, including galaxies, planets and life itself.But every computer needs a program, the set of instructions that tell it what patterns to create. Where did the bits come from that tell the universe to create its magnificent complexity? Who - or what - is programming the universe? Read more